Identifying Characteristics
| Size/Form: | Red mulberry is a small tree reaching 30 to 70 feet in height. Branches spread to form a dense, rounded crown. |
| Leaves: | Leaves are deciduous, simple and alternate. Three types of leaves can be found on a single tree: unlobed, mitten-shaped, and two to three lobed. All three can grow 3 to 9 inches in length. Heart-shaped base with a serrate margin. Upper surface is yellowish green and rough like sand paper with hairs on the underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. |
| Twigs: | Twigs are slender and zigzag. Color starts off green and changes to red-brown with age. Leaf scars shield-shaped. |
| Bark: | Reddish-brown and smooth when young. Mature trees have dark-brown flaky plates. |
| Flowers: | The small flowers are pale green and appear in late spring. |
| Fruit: | Small, red to dark purple drupes in clusters 1 inch in length. |
Similar Trees on the Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest List:
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